Good morning from Tuacahn! Inauguration ceremonies for @GovCox, @DeidreHenderson, @SeanReyesUT, @FrugalDougall and @DamschenDavid get underway here in a physically distant and outdoor event because COVID. @fox13 #utpol #Utah 
Outside the venue, these anti-mask demonstrators hired a video truck to protest the governor’s #COVID19 health restrictions. They were not allowed into the venue (even though it has a free speech zone) because they did not get a COVID test in advance. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
Over the weekend, @GovCox told me he will keep the existing mask mandate in place as well as other #COVID19 restrictions: fox13now.com/news/coronavir… @fox13 #utpol #Utah
All is quiet at the Free Speech Zone. It’ll likely stay that way because no one registered for a #COVID19 test to get into Tuacahn. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
FYI, everyone in this venue had to test negative for #COVID19 to get in. @GovCox’s people told me about 12 people out of the 400 or so planning to attend the inauguration tested positive. So they don’t get to come. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
UPDATE: 478 people will be attending. 13 other people will NOT because they got #COVID19 positive test results, per @GovCox’s office. As people come into the venue, masks are required to stay on and physical distancing is enforced with assigned seating. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
FYI, the inauguration ceremonies will start at 11a. @fox13 will broadcast parts of it on TV and be streaming it at fox13now.com and on our FB page. #utpol #Utah
Looking at the program, Utah Supreme Court Justice Paige Petersen will be administering the oaths of office. Bishop Oscar Solis of @Diocese_of_SLC will give the invocation. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
Former Utah Gov. @JonHuntsman is here. He lost the primary in June to @SpencerJCox, seeking to get his old job back. As a former governor, he and Mike Leavitt would be invited. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
I also see former Utah congresswoman @MiaBLove, @JStuartAdams, @MayorJonPike (who resigned from office today to join the Cox administration) and a number of Utah lawmakers.
Well, at least the ones I can pick out of the masked crowd. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
Well, at least the ones I can pick out of the masked crowd. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
I have not yet seen @GovHerbert in the crowd. Once @GovCox takes the oath of office, his term officially ends.
@GovCox is the 18th governor of Utah. @DeidreHenderson is the 9th Lt. Governor (we used to have secretaries of state). @fox13 #utpol #Utah
@GovCox is the 18th governor of Utah. @DeidreHenderson is the 9th Lt. Governor (we used to have secretaries of state). @fox13 #utpol #Utah
An announcement was just made about abiding by #COVID19 health restrictions.
Here's a look at the physically distant crowd here at Tuacahn. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
Here's a look at the physically distant crowd here at Tuacahn. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
The live broadcast is beginning, so everyone in the audience here at Tuacahn has to sit awkwardly for the feed to go out. You can watch it here: fox13now.com/live2 @fox13 #utpol #Utah
@fox13 The North Sanpete High, Snow College and USU bands just did a virtual national anthem performance as part of the presentation of colors.
Gregory Adiema, a new citizen originally from Kenya, led the Pledge of Allegiance. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
Gregory Adiema, a new citizen originally from Kenya, led the Pledge of Allegiance. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
.@DamschenDavid is the first constitutional officer to take the oath. He is our State Treasurer. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
.@DeidreHenderson begins her remarks, talking about her ancestors coming to America and Mormon pioneers arriving in Utah. She's now talking about women's rights.
FYI, this is the first time a lieutenant governor has given an inaugural address. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
FYI, this is the first time a lieutenant governor has given an inaugural address. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
"I’m here today because of those bold actions and the pathways paved by women like Senator (and Dr.) Martha Hughes Cannon and Rep. Alice Merrill Horn," @DeidreHenderson says, paying tribute to early women leaders of Utah. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
.@DeidreHenderson's remarks leaning heavily into equity.
"The difficulties of the past year have exposed some of the inequalities that still exist in our communities. I want to assure all Utahns that there’s room at the table for you," she says. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
"The difficulties of the past year have exposed some of the inequalities that still exist in our communities. I want to assure all Utahns that there’s room at the table for you," she says. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
"Your place at the table shall not be denied," @DeidreHenderson says.
"We want your input even when we disagree. We know it takes courage to make your voice heard and we hold ourselves answerable to you. We are committed to continually asking, 'Whose voice is missing?'" #utpol
"We want your input even when we disagree. We know it takes courage to make your voice heard and we hold ourselves answerable to you. We are committed to continually asking, 'Whose voice is missing?'" #utpol
.@DeidreHenderson calls for more representation of women, minorities and rural people in government.
"There will be NO token leadership at our table," she declares.
@fox13 #utpol #Utah
"There will be NO token leadership at our table," she declares.
@fox13 #utpol #Utah
"If we remember to lift all Utahns in the process, marching forward as One Utah, we shall not be denied," @DeidreHenderson says, ending her remarks which leaned HEAVILY on the theme of equity.
The crowd gives her a standing ovation. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
The crowd gives her a standing ovation. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
A music video is now being played. It's @BYU's Young Ambassadors performing "You Will Be Found."
In typical inaugurations, these performances are in person. Not today.
Up next, @GovCox will take the oath of office. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
In typical inaugurations, these performances are in person. Not today.
Up next, @GovCox will take the oath of office. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
We just had the 19-gun salute and a @UTNationalGuard flyover.
Now, @TheTabChoir is giving a performance of "America the Beautiful" that was previously recorded (it's basically another music video because, COVID).
@fox13 #utpol #utah
Now, @TheTabChoir is giving a performance of "America the Beautiful" that was previously recorded (it's basically another music video because, COVID).
@fox13 #utpol #utah
.@GovCox now addressing the crowd, describing the rough terrain we're in.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Washington County!" he deadpans.
@fox13 #utpol #Utah
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Washington County!" he deadpans.
@fox13 #utpol #Utah
.@GovCox pivots to talking about 2020.
"If I’m being honest, we all probably feel a little tired. Lady Liberty has been holding that torch for so long. And sometimes it feels like her hands and ours hang down," he says.
But lessons have been learned. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
"If I’m being honest, we all probably feel a little tired. Lady Liberty has been holding that torch for so long. And sometimes it feels like her hands and ours hang down," he says.
But lessons have been learned. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
.@GovCox praises scientists for rushing to create a vaccine.
But he says disinformation and conspiracy theories are hurting things.
He says we've adapted and thrived, but people's lives are disrupted. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
But he says disinformation and conspiracy theories are hurting things.
He says we've adapted and thrived, but people's lives are disrupted. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
"Too many people have lost their lives and livelihoods and too many of our most vulnerable communities, including our Native American, Black, Latino and Pacific Islander friends who have been disproportionately impacted by this virus and continued racial inequities," @GovCox says
"We are facing a crisis of empathy, a scourge of contempt. Very little feels 'United' about the United States today," @GovCox says.
Division is dangerous, he adds. He warns of a "catastrophic failure of our democracy." @fox13 #utpol #Utah
Division is dangerous, he adds. He warns of a "catastrophic failure of our democracy." @fox13 #utpol #Utah
"There is good news. It’s not too late to fix this and Utah is the perfect place to make it happen," @GovCox says.
He calls for people to understand one another, not demonize and ostracize those with whom we disagree. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
He calls for people to understand one another, not demonize and ostracize those with whom we disagree. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
.@GovCox really focusing his remarks on the theme of "unity."
He quotes Jefferson, Lincoln and MLK.
@fox13 #utpol #Utah
He quotes Jefferson, Lincoln and MLK.
@fox13 #utpol #Utah
.@GovCox returns to his earlier remarks about Parley Pratt describing the rough terrain of southern Utah and how it grew and thrived.
He's describing the land that eventually became Tuacahn.
@fox13 #utpol #Utah
He's describing the land that eventually became Tuacahn.
@fox13 #utpol #Utah
"My fellow Utahns, our moment, our rendezvous with destiny, has arrived. It is time we rise to that challenge," @GovCox says.
"At times our hands may hang down and our hearts may fail us, but even when we feel tired, we must never give up. In Utah we never give up." @fox13
"At times our hands may hang down and our hearts may fail us, but even when we feel tired, we must never give up. In Utah we never give up." @fox13
"It’s our turn to write the next chapter of Utah’s history and prove that yes indeed our greatest days still lie ahead," @GovCox says, getting emotional as he wraps up. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
"In taking a sacred oath today, my family and I pledge our hearts and our hands to you these next 4 years. We will succeed together, as one Utah. Let’s Go," he wraps up.
The crowd gives him a standing ovation. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
The crowd gives him a standing ovation. @fox13 #utpol #Utah
We're now getting a performance in person fro Former Utah "American Idol" contestant David Archuleta and others.
@fox13 #utpol #Utah
@fox13 #utpol #Utah
The benediction is being given by Elder Ronald Rasband of @Ch_JesusChrist.
It was a relatively short inauguration ceremony. Next, @GovCox will travel the state to #SLC where there will be Statehood Day fireworks tonight! @fox13 #utpol #Utah
It was a relatively short inauguration ceremony. Next, @GovCox will travel the state to #SLC where there will be Statehood Day fireworks tonight! @fox13 #utpol #Utah
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